Diabetes and vision issues: Have you experienced any?

Eyes (retinopathy)                              

Thanks Rob. That's very helpful.

Hello @robjmckinny and @RachelB  I am also a T2 and on one of my retinopathy screens they also found minor  problems, which the following year had cleared up, so my mind was more relaxed.  It is something that we all have to be careful of and the bs balancing act is a daily task.

I will be getting new glasses this year as my annual eye test has changed  and it needs doing.  While there the young lady who my eye test found a problem with my right eye, and has referred me via the screening office and the gp to the eye clinic at the local hospital, that is on the 22/10/15, so what will be found I do not know, life is full of surprises, ain't it,,,,,ttfn from Karen

Karen, thank you so much. I have read so much stuff on the internet but it helps much more to hear from somebody who has had the same experience. I wanted to know if it could get better or if it was a slippery slope to eventual blindness. I see the doctor and optician regularly so hopefully anything developing will be picked up quickly. It's a daily battle with the BS but one we continue to fight. Best of luck with your next eye test. Thanks again.

Rachel.

Every year I go for my Diabetic Eye Screening tests which are quite thorough.  One year it comes back with background Retinopathy & the next it all clear.  I'm told by my doctor that it depends on my sugar glucose readings whenever I have these tests & he said I shouldn't drive myself crazy with it, just keep monitoring what I eat & drink.  Which I do.  I've had T2 for 15yrs now & have learned to control it very well which comes as you get use to having it.

Hope you manage ok with it too.

Lorraine

Thanks Lorraine. I went to see the optician on Saturday. She was amazingly helpful. She gave me a thorough check and saw no sign of background retinopathy, so as you say it can come and go I guess. I must have had a bad day. All in all my levels are good, it's just something you learn to live with as you say and things like this are all just part of the learning curve. 

Hello everyone,

How are you today? I thought I would revive this older discussion so we can talk about vision issues related to type 2 diabetes!

As you may know, diabetes can put you at risk for eye complications, including glaucoma, cataracts,  retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye) and macular oedema.

Have any of you experienced any eye issues because of your diabetes? If so, what have you done to treat the issue? How often do you see your eye doctor?
@Mamarr‍ @JALLOH‍ @Midsonwm‍ @Helenmary‍ @Bistos‍ @Mellymel65‍ @Babyrhino53‍ @Chirambo123‍ @Debi.K‍ @TrudyL‍ @Marxist‍ @Darwin‍ @CABSerra‍ @Missteazel‍ @Tupelohoney‍ @Gregsgirl‍ @Trollyman‍ @Bazza1962‍ @Luisa1960‍ 

Feel free to share any experiences or advice here!

Take care,
Courtney

None. I have done my first eyes photography to check any damage to the blood vessels back of the eyes. And it's clear. I should go to the hospital once a year for it.

Yes I have macular edema.I've had over 50 injections in my eyes to

stop me going blind.

Also 2 cataract operations but I don't mind.

Anything is better than being blind.

Thank God Spain has a National Health service.

Floaters are a bit of a problem though.

Interesting one as my eyes seem to be stable and no sign of issues when they take photo's every year. But my younger brother it is an issue and admits he can no longer see well looking straight but needs to turn sideways on to see clearly. He has had two ops to help correct the issue in his sight but this is just one of his diabetic woe's. He has 'shark fin' bone growths on his feet and has to have special shoes made for him for many years. He lost several toes to infection on both feet years ago and finally starting possitive interest in his feet. I keep warning him that the rot starts in the feet leading to removal. As the infections travel up the leg the Doctors chop bits off and finally once they get above the knees you are a goner. His latest issue is his foot is detaching from his ankle and the NHS is considering elastic straps attached to his leg that stops the painful slap due to the detached bones. 

He has been a diabetic that ignored his symptoms all his life and continued working as a builder. There is no telling him as he continues to decline as one bit or another goes wrong. He had his stomach stapled, won't stop eating sweets etc., thankfully in small quantities. He went on injections years ago, his stomach ruined by all the oral drugs. So I make this point to remind diabetics to take an active interest taking your medicine, loosing weight and looking after yourself. Go to your regular checks and diabetes 2 is a controllable disease that can allow a reasonable long life. If not you compound your issues go blind, have heart attacks etc. and die early. I choose to look after myself but then get cancer so fate has my number anyway and we have to die of something but that is life. But staying with diabetes, don't be like my brother and try to look after yourself, it will prevent to the worst diabetes has to offer, it is a lifestyle choice, stay safe!